Newcastle 1 - Pompey 4

Newcastle 1-4 Pompey

After the league cup exit it was back to league action as Pompey looked to build on wins over Blackburn, Fulham and Wigan on the road as we made the long journey to Tyneside to face the barcodes of Newcastle.

Sulley Muntari was fit to return and replaced Pedro Mendes - who dropped to the bench - this being the only change from the league cup defeat. Somewhat surprisingly Noe Pamarot retained his place at left back as Matty Taylor stayed on the bench. David Nugent dropped out of the squad altogether.

Who said we do not travel well to Tyneside, goals from Noe Pamarot - a screamer, Benjani, John Utaka and Niko Kranjcar, with an unfortunate own goal from Sol Campbell - with us already 3-0 up at the time - saw us win a 4th away league game on the trot.

The MatchA slow start then saw the game burst into life as David James was tested, with him passing this test with flying colours. A good build up eventually saw Alan Smith with the effort that was turned away by James brilliantly.

The Newcastle corner, from this save Pompey broke away and had John Utaka looked up a great chance would not have been missed...

The first Pompey chance saw Benjani's effort deflected wide for a corner, from this corner Noe Pamarot - who I was surprised to see start to be honest - scored the best goal he is ever likely to score as he smashed into the net from 25 yards on 7 minutes, what a great goal!

1-0, soon became 2-0 as Benjani used his pace and power to out muscle Claudio Cacapa and finish fantastically from the edge of the area for his 8th goal of the season 2 minutes later, not content with that on 11 minutes Utaka got through - also out muscling Cacapa - before rounding Steve Harper and slotted home.

15 minutes in and the barcodes had a goal back, Charles N'Zogbia saw a shot blocked then Michael Owen saw his shot saved by James before the ball finally went in off Sol Campbell for an unfortunate own goal.

After Cacapa was removed for his part in two of the goals James was forced into another fine save, denying Steven Taylor. Then again from their corner Pompey broke away to earn a corner of our own, from which Pompey should have had a nailed on penalty as a result of a David Rozehnal handball but nothing was given.

Pompey were on top, soaking up any pressure that was put on - comfortably really - and Sulley Muntari almost added another with a fine strike, which went just wide as we got through to half time at 3-1 up despite some shocking decisions from ref Chris Foy who fell for every trick that was put to him.

Neither side made any changes at half time.

The animal Joey Barton was up to his usual tricks after a quiet 10-15 minutes opening to the 2nd half - James' quick throw out to Niko Kranjcar saw him go on a fine run which was disrupted by a two footed lunge by Barton, who got away with scot-free.

Another call for a Pompey penalty was waved away, with Campbell leading the remonstrations with the ref, but again nothing was given.

James came face to face with his nemesis Owen again, having denied him in the 1st half before the unfortunate own goal James did it again as his shot lacked power, with James again denying Smith soon after, but comfortably - but were not really doing ourselves many favours as we were occasionally giving the ball away too cheaply.

A fantastic move, quick one touch play eventually saw Kranjcar with a header which was saved by Harper - had he scored it would have been a fine team goal, brilliantly worked.

We did not have to wait long though, as 20 minutes from time the 4th was scored, bizarrely from a Kranjcar free kick, floated in which went straight through, via a minimal touch from Steven Taylor although Kranjcar will surely get it?

Kanu came on for Benjani on 75 minutes and immediately showed off his skills, and should have soon scored another for Pompey after a great pass from Kranjcar - he should have done better.

James again showed - as he had a few times during this game alone - why he should be the England no.1 with a point blank range save from Obafemi Martins, before Barton again put in a poor challenge on Kranjcar, which again went unpunished.

We played out the rest of the match with no troubles, with Harry Redknapp making another change on 87 minutes, the brilliant Muntari coming off for Pedro Mendes.

Match SummaryYou wait 50 odd years for a win over the barcodes and we get one in style, after only having scored 1 goal in our previous premier league matches at St James' we found 4 today to get the win that I felt my birthday would yield, not quite the 2-1 I predicted though - I have had a great day so far, but this is the best present I could get and will make for a fantastic evening!

The formation that we have favoured this season works like a charm away from home, but to be honest I am still not convinced by this at home, but it would be hard to leave out any of the central midfield trio of Sulley Muntari, Papa Bouba Diop or Sean Davis, with them fantastic again today.

An incredible 4-minute spell early in the game virtually won it, as despite the barcodes having their moments we were comfortable for the most part of this game - we were magnificent today.

Last weekend was a case of 'a touch of realism' - well this theory of mine has been blown out of the water as I am again full of thoughts on what we could do this season and I am getting wildly carried away again with these thoughts...

Charlie, Pamarots was a screamer apparently.. rifled it in the top right hand corner....... I'm in dreamworld but I'm running out of Stella - I need a drunken walk to the shop - Oh my God .... Pompey have REALLY arrived now - 'arry says we must not get carried away....... well I'm gonna tonight - HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUG - What a present mate !!

indeed, this will be my last visit this evening as i have a meal to go to and drinks waiting but we are on football first - so anyone that hasnt seen the game can watch it in full from 8.25 on sky sports... sod the motd slot, that can be watched after :-)

Rug you will have gone by now but enjoy.. Thanks for tip about Football First I will set video before going out. Gonna be a great night wherever you are. Chix got those Stellas yet? If Blackburn Liverpool ends as a draw we stay 4th.

one last sneaky look between pints - thanks fellas... not a problem dave, its got to be watched or at least recorded hasnt it - like the reading game i feel this could be a keeper too! yep, the win will certainly make the drinks even sweeter tonight, its started too already :-)

Nice one boys. Told ya you'd get better and push for a European place. Great result and make sure Liverpool and Spurs (if they get out the relegation zone) don't get into the Champs League! Best wishes from the champions-to-be

Happy birthday Rug. A terrific performance. It shows that this team has the talent to compete with anyone (including the " top " four clubs, so long as they put out the necessary effort. The passing game 60 minutes or so in would make Arsene Wenger drool ! Well done lads.

spurs have a 2 year plan that will let them always finish in the top 4...they get relegated this season, then its much easier ;-) its great that we are now in FOURTH...and i saw some pretty nice fireworks too. oh, and aparantly we won 4-1 PUP!

oh, and thinking of the 4-5-1 at home, that way, we are extreemly comftable with the formation, so will go to away games, and can play the way we want too. and anyway, you can hardley faout the way we are playing at the moment, apart from the little blip last week.)

Happy Birthday Rug, Well i wondered what else was going to happen yesterday as i went to watch the game in pompey replica shirt for the first time in, not uinusual on it's own you just dont see them here in Dubai. On the way to the showtime sports bar.. if you dont know showtime is sky sports here and now you can get almost every premiership game live.. they the locals Emirateys asked if my oki away shirt was my lucky top and i said hopefully. Well we sat out side and they said maybe it will bring a lucky warm shower, i said nah most likely we will be watching an awfull shower. 10 mins later it actually blo0dy rained, very warm and very lovely refreshing rain. Then that game kicked off...at the end i was giving out the club website and others for replica kits..... and rugsoccersignatures of course. Great days Rug

erm you did remember that i meant 1-4 and not 1-1 in my predictions league didnt you pompeyrug.??? Can you put me down for 3-1 for th Man City game, i will SMS the scorers, but for sure 1 will be Benji. Thanks mate russellm aka pompeydubai

russell text me just after the game having watching it live on tv in dubai - some hours later he text me again having watched it again i believe both times saying how good we were... and we were good, very good infact! keep wearing that lucky shirt, my 2005/06 'lucky shirt' - used for league games only - hasn't been washed since 2nd september, which must be the best run ive ever had...

amazing, didnt get to sleep until 1.00, got out of newcastle at 7, we missed the coach!!! worth it! me and my dad detoured into chinatown outside the stadium for a celebretatry chinese, It was the best away perfomance all season, noe paramot, not only scored that screamer and nearly saw myslef fall over the edge of the stand!, but handled owen very wel and martins when he came on, so will he start nex saturday.

We got back at about midnight after leaving home at 7 this morning, who cares though!
It was well worth it today, and to se those loyal and fanatical fans leaving in their droves was fantastic.
Did you hear those winghers on the radio, accept it barcodes you are not going to challenge the big 4. Sam will have to rebuild the team this season and that takes time.
Barton and co were poor, and when they had to dig in they gave in, the fans deseve better than that.

if the barcodes honestly thought they could get into the top 4 this season they were kidding themselves - tbh they will do well to get into the uefa cup, fat sam needs time to re-build doesnt he, agree Owens completely... i am trying to remain grounded but if we dont get into europe at the end of the season i will be disappointed tbh and if anyone will gatecrash the top 4 it will be pompey or blackburn - but still think looking towards this just yet is too much, but you never know...

if you took a look at the two penalty apeals - both clear as day - then we could have won the game 6-1! what a score THAT would have been!!! and i would lke to add a couple of names to the gatecrashers, or wod be gatecrashers. aston villa have had some fantastic results, and everton are always impressive. but before we even think about that, we have to make UEFA cup first.

Just could not stop laughing watching football first.....from the moment Noe's blinder flew in to the last....wasn't too impressed with the two handball non decisions, but it's nothing new.
Muddy fantastic performance!

it was a joy to watch wasnt it i cannot wait for next weekend, i know watching on the box isnt the same but i will have to deal with it then im back in town for the everton match - which is getting ever closer! remember what happened at the last league match plymouth graham and myself went to fellas...

hopefully! cant wait to go into europe, tbh, i never expected it in my wildest dreams, it brings a smile to face, just thinking about it! I mean bolton have got bayern next week! imagine pompey going to germany, playing munich!! unimaginable!

Oh my god.. It;s Sunday night ..no wrong Monday morning (just now) and /I've still got a smile as wide as the grand canyon ... Yesterday must be one of the most unexpected results we,ve had in the five years we,ve been in the premiership..... I still can't believe it ... and Pompey in 4th place too.... bring on the City... 'arry's boys will show Sven a thing or two..

i think we will do just that Chix, city are a good side but they still have a long, long way to go dont they... i said to my brother when he phoned me after the game that it was not only the best result of the season but its one of the best results weve had for years - im still buzzing about it and the city game cannot get here soon enough, but i wont wish the time away of course...

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